Verbascum Gainsborough - Mullein

Verbascum 'Gainsborough' is a tall variety of hybrid mullein which stands out for its long and abundant flowering. From June to August it forms a rosette of wavy, ovate to elliptical, green-grey leaves, topped with tall spikes of cup-shaped, pale yellow flowers with golden stamens at the centre, as long as the soil remains moist. It is an excellent perennial for well-drained soil, in a sunny border or flowering pots on the terrace or balcony.

This plant belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family and is derived from Verbascum phoeniceum native to central-eastern Europe and the Middle East, among others.

Gainsborough will reach a height of 120 cm (47in) in flower with a diameter of 30 cm (12in). This perennial forms a semi-evergreen rosette from which long, highly branched floral stems emerge, covered with a fine pale green down. From June to August, pyramid-shaped spikes up to 75 cm (30in) high are adorned here and there with large, closely-packed flowers, formed by 5 well-separated, pale-yellow petals. The centre of the corolla displays an orangish hue with golden stamens. The rosettes are composed of flexible, ovate to elliptical, wavy, grey-green tinged leaves, 25 cm (10in) long, with prominent veins. This nectar-rich mullein is loved by bees.

Verbascum 'Gainsborough' is a boon for 'impossible' slopes, where it will look good alongside valerians, Callirhoe involucrata for example, and orpines. Natural scenes, in slightly wild areas of the garden, will be transformed by hybrid mulleins. Plant them with dwarf hollyhocks, compact Buenos Aires verbenas, carnations, purple heucheras, blue lavenders, wild chicories, wild thyme or pink thyme, perennial flax or the cloudy amaranth (Cachrys alpina).